Winding machine



E. J. HEIZER WINDING MACHINE Feb. 23, 1954' Filed Dec. 24', 1952 IN V EN TOR. [atl/aM/(IHQZ BY ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDING MACHINE Edward J. Heizer, Mou

ntain Lakes, N. J., assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J

a corporation of New Jersey Application December 24, 1952, Serial No. 327,765

17 Claims. 1

, chines to provide yarn packages intended to have an even density throughout so that they will be suitable especially for use in knitting machines and the like. As shown in this patent, the roller bail is mounted on the frame of the back of the winder, and is urged into contact with the yarn package being wound on the spindle of the winder under light, but suii'icient, pressure to cause the friction between the yarn of the package and the bail to effect rotation of the latter.

It has been found that the bearing friction of the roller bail, even though relatively slight, imposes a drag on the bail, whereby the bail, in being rotated by the package, tends to iron the yarn as it is laid on the package. This eliect is particularly undesirable at the sides or end of the package where the lay of the yarn is reversed by the traverse, because ironing of the yarn moves the reversed sections thereof sidewise in an outwardly direction of the ends of the package with the result that stitches or "press-offs occur which impair the even unwinding of yarn when the package is used in a knitting machine or the like. The foregoing causes considerable difficulty in the winding of mono-filament type yarn, which, by reason of its circular cross-section, cannot be flattened under ironing influence and thus must move sidewise.

Also, the frictional resistance to free rotation of the roller bail causes the yarn to be dragged about the bail rather than to run with the same. Such drag puts tension in the yarn as it is being wound onto the package, and thereby causes a harder or more tightly wound package to be produced which lacks the desired softness. Such tensioning is particularly undesirable in connection with the more recently developed synthetic fiber or filament type yarns.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a roller bail or pressure roller assembly for winding machines, which is not subject to the foregoing difiiculties.

Another object is to provide such a roller bail assembly which does not have any tensioning effect on the yarn and yet produces a soft package having a desired uniform density to render it suitable for handling, shipping, and use in a knitting machine or the like.

Another object is to provide such a roller bail assembly wherein the bail is rotatably supported by practically frictionless bearing means which enable the bail to be rotated at a surface speedidentical to that of the package while in extremely light contact with the package.

A further object is to effect rotation of the roller bail at a desired speed independently of its rotation by the package in contact therewith to thereby overcome any possible bearing friction tending to cause the bail to put tension in the yarn.

A still further object is to provide such a roller ball assembly which is simple, economical, and durable in construction, and can withstand constant use at high speeds without repair or replacement of parts.

Other and further objects of the invention willbe obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages are accomplished by providing a roller bail assembly for yarn package winding machines comprising 'a roller bail, means for rotatably supporting the endsof the bail, and a gas bearing associated with the supporting means and the ends of the bail. This bail, in one of its forms as about to be described, is constructed and arranged to be rotated by jet propulsion means associated with its bearings, in addition to being in driven contact with the package.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in drawing,,forming a part of wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a conventional type package winding machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, illustrating one form of bearing construction in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, illustrating another form of such bearing construction.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 8.

the specification,

Referring to the drawing in detail and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, a portion of a conventional type package winding machine provided with a roller bail is shown. This machine.

the accompanying in general, comprises a spindle H) for receiving a tube or the like on which a yarn package H is wound, a spindle supporting housing i2 on the frame of the machine, a back l4 adapted to move away from the package as the package grows in 5 size, a yarn traverse l5 supported by the back, and a roller bail assembly H5, in accordance with the invention, -mountedgon the :back; Although, not shown, the winding machine includes mechanism for effecting rotation of the spindle and 1 reciprocation of the traverse in any suitable or conventional manner.

As shown herein by way of example, the roller ball assembly comprises a roller 20,*and-a genes- J ally U-shaped frame or holder -2i secured-to the back and formed with a pair of arms -22-"having bearing means for rotatablysupporting;;the. ends of the roller 26.

In Fig. 2, an air bearing embodying'the present invention is shown as associated with one of-" the :arms '22 and :one :end; .of theiroller :2 0;.- In this embodiment,-v the arms; have-a bore 24 'intowhich -is fitted Jar-flanged bearing bushing-r25 have mg -an: air inlet channel ,261and a-seriespf radia ally=:-inwardlyfacingzzoutletapertures 21., Compressed air issupplied to the inlet-25 by suitable. conduitmeans .29 from a source-such as: anraccumulator-Bllanda compressor 31 (Figs; 1) The. roller -2urhas asection 32 of reduced diameter; at eachend overwhich isfitted a bearing sleeve 36:.- This: sleeves-is rotatably disposed in the bushing 26; and has air inlet apertures at itsv endiadjacentxthe roller, 20", a series of air --outlet apertures-Moat-its:other end, and an annular passageway 31' for establishing fluid flow com- 35 munication. between the apertures 35 and 35.

As the package ll rotates thezroller iil, the SIGBVBSzr34P-fltith6 ends-of the roller float, in-a sense; .orr:the.-.air;,:en-tering the space between adjacent-x cylindrical bearing surfaces of the-bush- 4O ingsx=25=nand the sleeves 34 by way ,of the apertureszi'hand:leaving primarily by way ofthe. apertures135a This air pr.ovides--.a-, practically, frictionless film between the -bearing,,surfaces,-- whereby: the roller- 2 ii can be rotated ,at-very high speeds without any drag on the yarn beingwound.

In; Fig. 3,: another formiof air bearing embodying the-present invention is shown as, associated with oneoi the. arms 22 and one-end of the roller 20; In-this embodiment-the arms 22- have a threadedbore-39- into which is ,securedra hollow studprsaxledflr This stud hasan air inlet in communication with-conduit means 29,-- outlet apertures 42 in the sidewall thereof, and anouta let aperture. 43. in the end wall thereof The roller 20 has a bore 44 at each-end \thereoI-; ,into,-which-isl-fitted a bearing sleeveor bushinggliirotatablyasupported by ,a stud,-4il.. This, bushingihas radialair inlet apertures 46 adjacent. the- -clo sed end of thebore, generally axially; d1: rected air outlet apertures 41 adjacent theuopenuoo end Of-,;th8 bore, and an annular passageway or channel 49 for establishing fluid flow communication between theapertures 45 and 41.

As the package H, rotatesethe roller 28, the sleeves, 45 float,, ina, sense, on the air 1 entering .,.65 the space between adjacent cylindricalbearing surfaces ofltheaxles 40 and the sleeves 45 by way of the aperturesAlandleavingmostly ,by way of, the.,-apertures;45.. Also,. the aperture, 43 in ,the end wall of the stud 40, by facing the closedgend z oi, the, bore 4t ofv the rollen. provideskforzthe, in,- troducticn of air between these surfaces which minimizesv endfthrust-iriction. In thismarmer; airaprovidesyza practically friotionlessr' ilhzrxtbea' tween all -adiacent r-bearing surfacesr As shown in Fig. 4, the outlet apertures 41 are angularly disposed to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller 20 whereby to provide propulsion jets for creating a torque which serves to drive the roller in the same direction and at about the same speed that the package ll tends to rotate the roller. For example, by-proper proportioning and-..arrangement;iof the jets and the clearances between adajcent surfaces, the roller may be driven at a speed of about 18,000 revolutions per minute by means of air at a.-.pressure of about 50 pounds per square inch. This drive further eliminates any tendency of dragbeing; imposed on: the yarn by the roller.

Itwill of ,coursebe understood that the apertures'36 (Fig; 2) could be similarly constructed andarranged toprovide for jet propulsion of the roller. It will also be appreciated that an air bearing formed with jet propulsion means could be provided at only one end of the bail which wouldizovercome; the friction .drag of aconventional bearin at the other end of the bail.

In; view; of ,the foregoing description, it willqbew, seen that the present invention provides a novel,; useiulijandn improved roller bail assembly I for windingwmachineswhich is practical, economical; and :durable in construction, and whichrcan zbe applied to newly manufactured machines or mas-- chines already in the-field.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts here-- I in, without departing from thesspirit and scope. of;-.the inventionand Without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all mate ten-herein, istobe interpreted as illustrative and not many limiting sense;

I claim:

1. In ayarn package winding-machine, the combination of a; roller bail, means for. rotatably supporting the ends of said ball, and a gas bear,- ingassociated with said-supporting means and, the ends of-said bail.

2. In a yam package winding machine, thew combination of a r01ler bail,. a pair of ,rotoreleementseach atoneend ,ofsaidbail having a bearsurface, and a pairof stator elements each. having a bearing surface rotatably supporting, one-of said rotor elements onepair of elements. having passageway means for introducing a gaseousmediumbetweenthe bearing surfaces of said. rotor and-stator elements, and the other of said elements, having passageway means extending fromibetweenthebeari-ngsurfaces of said rotorand stator. to the, exterior thereof for dis, charging the gaseous medium..

3., In; amachineaccording to claim 2, wherein saidstatorrelements have said passageway means for. introducing the gaseous medium, and said ro-:- tor elementshave said passageway means fOlidiS'rcharging the gaseous I medium.

4. In,a ,machine according to claim 3, wherein:- said-.,passageway means of said rotor elements: have propulsion jets at the discharge ends.-there-- of.

5. In a machine according to claim 3,-wherein: said rotor elements each include a bearing sleeve Securedxto: said rotor elements formed with an: annular passageway, orifices extending from said annular passageway to between the bearing-sur--- faces, and iorifices extending from said annular passageway to the exterior.

6.-In a 'machine according :to claim- 5;:whereina:; said-sleeves extend about an endportion' of'said? rollerbiail and said-stator elements extendaboutf said sleeves.

7. In a machine according to claim 5, wherein said roller ball has a coaxial bore at each end thereof and said sleeves are secured within said bores, and said stator elements extend into said sleeves.

8. In a machine according to claim 7, wherein said stator elements each have a coaxial bore constituting the inlet of said passageway means thereof.

9. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail; and gas bearings for said ball including a rotor element at each end of said bail having a passageway, and having radial openings and end openings in fluid flow communication with said passageway, and including a stator element for supporting said rotor element having a passageway for supplying a gaseous medium and having radial openings in communication with said supply passageway and in fluid fiow communication with said radial openings of said rotor element.

10. In a machine according to claim 9, wherein said end openings of said rotor elements are angularly disposed to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation whereby to provide propulsion jets.

11. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof provided with passageway means extending from the closed end to the open end thereof, and an axle disposed in each of said bores for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent surfaces of said axles and said bores.

12. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof, a bushing in each bore having air inlet apertures adjacent the closed end of said bore and having air outlet apertures adjacent the open end of said bore and having means for establishing fluid flow communication between said inlet and outlet apertures, and an axle disposed in each of said bushings for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent bearing surfaces of said axles and said bushings at points intermediate the ends of said bushings.

13 In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof, a bushing in each bore having radially facing air inlet apertures adjacent the closed end of said bore and having generally axially directed air outlet apertures adjacent the open end of said bore and having means for establishing fluid flow communication between said inlet and outlet apertures, and an axle disposed in each of said bushings for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent bearing surfaces of said axles and said bushings at points intermediate the ends of said bushings.

14. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof, a bushing in each bore having air inlet apertures adjacent the closed end of said bore and having air outlet apertures adjacent the open end of said bore and having means for establishing fluid flow communication between said inlet and outlet apertures, and an axle disposed in each of said bushings for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent bearing surfaces of said axles and said bushings at points intermediate the ends of said bushings, said axles having an aperture facing the closed end of said bores for introducing air.

15. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof, a bushing in each bore having radially facing air inlet apertures adjacent the closed end of said bore and having generally axially directed air outlet apertures adjacent the open end of said bore and having means for establishing fluid flow communication between said inlet and outlet apertures, and an axle disposed in each of said bushings for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent bearing surfaces of said axles and said bushings at points intermediate the ends of said bushings, said axles having an aperture facing the closed end of said bores for introducing air.

16. In a yarn package winding machine, the combination of a roller bail having a bore at each end thereof, a bushing in each bore having radially facing air inlet apertures adjacent the closed end of said bore and having generally axially directed air outlet apertures adjacent the open end of said bore and having means for establishing fluid flow communication between said inlet and outlet apertures, and an axle disposed in each of said bushings for rotatably supporting said bail, said axles having apertures for introducing air between adjacent bearing surfaces of said axles and said bushings at points intermediate the ends of said bushings, said axles having an aperture facing the closed end of said bores for introducing air, said air outlet apertures of said bushings being angularly directed with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said ball to provide propulsion jets for effecting rotation of said bail.

17. In a yarn package winding machineythe combination of a roller bail, means for rotatably supporting the ends of said bail, one of said supporting means having means for introducing air between the adjacent bearing surfaces and said supporting means and said bail, said bail having air outlet means at one end thereof and in fluid low communication with said air inlet means constructed and arranged to provide propulsion jets for effecting rotation of said bail.

EDWARD J. HEIZER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,906,715 Penick May 2, 1933 2,171,758 McKean Sept. 5, 1939 

